John Henry Macartney ABBOTT

ABBOTT, John Henry Macartney

Service Numbers: 1062, Officer
Enlisted: 13 July 1917, Victoria Barracks, Sydney Classed as unfit for service in WW1
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 1st Australian Horse
Born: Haydonton, Murrurindi, New South Wales, Australia, 26 December 1874
Home Town: Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling: Kings School, Parramatta & Sydney University
Occupation: Jackeroo, Journalist & Author
Died: Vascular disease, Rydalmere Mental Hospital, Sydney, 12 August 1953, aged 78 years
Cemetery: Rookwood Cemetery & Crematorium
Anglican Section
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Boer War Service

11 Oct 1899: Involvement Trooper, 1062, 1st Australian Horse
17 Jan 1900: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Corporal, 1062, 1st Australian Horse, Second Contingent Transport ship Surry

World War 1 Service

13 Jul 1917: Enlisted AIF WW1, Officer, Victoria Barracks, Sydney Classed as unfit for service in WW1

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Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen

John Henry Macartney ABBOTT was born on 26th December, 1874 at Haydonton, Murrurindi, New South Wales

His parents were Joseph Palmer ABBOTT & Matilda Elizabeth MACARTNEY

He was a Trooper in the 1st Australian Horse, 2nd Contingent (Service Squadron) which embarked from Sydney on 17th January on the transport ship Surry which reached CapeTown, South Africa on 23rd February, 1901

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, but was invalided back to Australia on 21st October, 1900

He re-enlisted in WW1 but was classed as unfit for service so there is no war record except for his application to join WW1

John was a prolific writer & journalist and was very well known

He married Katherina WALLACE on 2nd August, 1926 in Sydney

He died on 12th August, 1953 at Rydalmere Mental Hospital of vascular disease and is buried in the Anglican Section of Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, 

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This was his comment about the 1st Australian Horse in the Boer War

"Why did we ever come?  This isn't charging into battle

This isn't racing through flying foe,  This isn't getting the Victoria Cross

Where is all the 'pomp and circumstance' of war?

Where is anything but dirt and discomfort & starvation & nigger-driving

Who wants to participate in a shabby was like this? "

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Medals:  Boer War -South Africa Medal with 6 clasps

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